A former military Head of State, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed sadness at the deaths of two prominent Nigerians, Dr. Matthew Mbu and Prof. Sam Aluko.
Mbu was a one-time federal minister and former High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom while Aluko was a reverred Economist and the chairman of the National Economic Intelligence Commission in the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Buhari, in his tribute on Mbu, said: “I was sad to learn today of the death of Mr. M. T. Mbu, former Foreign Minister and our first High Commissioner to London.
“Mr. Mbu was one of the Founding Fathers of Independent Nigeria. He acquitted himself well as Nigeria’s representative in the UK immediately after independence. The late Prime Minister had unshaken confidence in the young Mr. Mbu, and his opinion shaped Nigeria’s policy towards Britain in the few years after independence.
“Mr. Mbu, a mild-mannered man at the most difficult of times became more mellow in later years and constantly cautioned his fellow Nigerians against extremism and disruptive behaviour.
“Nigeria has lost a sane voice of moderation. With his death, the tenuous links to the First Republic are becoming more and more fragile.
“I send my condolences to his family, his colleagues in the First Republic and Nigerians in general.”
On Aluko, Buhari wrote: “I have today been informed of the sad demise of Professor Sam Aluko. Dr Aluko was one of Nigeria’s most distinguished economists. His students at University were treated to lectures of theoretical clarity and down to earth practical opinions.
“As Adviser to the governments of Nigeria he was honest, forthright and above all professional. He was never one to bend the truth to satisfy those in authority. He never allowed politics, ethnicity, religion to colour his economic advice or public discourse.
“Nigeria will miss him. I send my heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, former colleagues and students.”